Monday, May 31, 2010

On a Friday afternoon, I had received a piece of great news. I was so excited, and went home to call my Dad on the other side of the country to let him know. He wasn't home, so I left him a voicemail, asking him to call me back.

He didn't call all weekend. The phone finally rang on Monday...and it was my Aunt. "Your Dad is gone." I couldn't believe it. How could that be? It wasn't news I had expected to receive; but he was gone. Just like that.

I stumbled around in a fog, booking a plane trip back east, arranging pet care, trying to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. And I'll never forget a trip to the store that day. I stepped to the counter with my items, and set them down. I don't remember what I was purchasing, perhaps pet food. I don't have any idea what my expression was, or whether I had those puffy eyes you get from crying. But what I do remember: the cheery clerk.

She gave me a winning smile, and in her perky voice, she asked, "Did you find everything okay?"

I stood there in shock. I didn't know what to say.

I had an urge to reach out and grab her by the shoulders. I wanted to say, "Don't you know? Don't you see the world just stopped? How can you be smiling?"

This Memorial Day, so many families are asking that same question. "Don't you know? My loved one is gone. Forever. Don't you know the world just ended?"

3,745 cards were shipped out this week, at a cost of $137.50....and that takes us to a total of $950.00 in shipping for the month of May! Our shippers are anxiously awaiting the final Fourth of July cards to make it in time for our heroes to mail home for the Independence Day holiday.

Typically, we assume approximately 2 weeks for our boxes to travel to our contacts, and two weeks to return home. Those are often much less than is actually needed, which is why we request that our cardmakers attempt to 'beat' the published deadlines; we begin sending cards for a holiday 8 weeks prior, often, if we have them. So if you can help out by being early, that helps our heroes tremendously!

To heroes in Afghanistan:
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Navy unit
335 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Iraq:
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit

Other fun statistics:Number of boxes sent: 1,527
Number of hero contacts: 792
Total cards sent: 434,682

Deadline reminders:
Graduation: passed
Father's Day: passed
Independence Day: June 1, tomorrow!* Note: You can keep making patriotic cards all the time, just don't put "Happy Fourth of July" on them. Take advantage of those great sales on patriotic papers and supplies!

August 2 - Back to School
September 20 - Halloween
October 1 - Thanksgiving
October 30 - Christmas
November 30 - Any Hero Christmas Letters

We have ten - yes TEN - flat-rate boxes full of cardstock to give away! This is part of the huge stash of paper donated by Pollard Group in Tacoma WA—it was formerly destined for printing ballots, and is now to be made into cards for our heroes!

Just think how many cards you'll be able to make for our heroes with a box of that paper! To enter, leave a comment on this post telling us what you thought of the hop—what inspired you? Do you have a goal in mind after all you've seen? Are you going to set up a cardmaking party? Let us know if this hop motivated you! We'll draw 10 winners at midnight Monday night (Memorial Day) using random.org....please leave your email along with your comment (write it "myname at server dot org" instead of "myname@server.org" so you don't get unwanted spam!).

INSPIRED TO POST TODAY?

Did you miss the signup? Or perhaps you didn't know about it til now? Well, you can still join in the fun! Use InLinkz below to link your card inspired by today's hop - a red, white, and blue missing you card!

Friday, May 28, 2010

On Bloghop-eve, here's a fun tip for you from cardmaker Leslie in Utah. She sent her box late, but just look at what was in it....a dozen had specifically said "Happy Father's Day," but look at these - they can work as general cards for Dads too! These will make it into the next boxes, but if they don't zoom to Iraq or Afghanistan in a speedy fashion, our heroes can still jot a note to dad later!

So if you know you're often pushing deadlines....think about making general cards like this. Cards with pumpkins that say "thinking of you," snowman cards that say "I love you," and — since the 4th of July deadline (June 1) is breathing down our necks — patriotic "missing you" or "hello" cards! Then if you're delayed on the way to the PO, it's still okay!

See you tomorrow at the hop! It'll start on our sister blog, Stars & Stamps, so be sure to go bookmark it now so you're ready!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

3793 cards were sent in to our shippers this week....awesome job everyone! That's a great start to filling these empty boxes; we order them by the crate from the Post Office. We also found out something this week that was rather sad: to save money, the Post Office is going to stop printing the Military Flat Rate Boxes! The regular Flat Rate Boxes will still have the $2 discount for OWH, but it's a shame that the "America Supports You" message on the outside will eventually go away. (We also put "Operation Write Home" labels on the outsides of our boxes....so they'll still get a patriotic message on our boxes!)

Cristy D of Charlesto, WV, thank you for all these beautiful cards for our heroes. Many thanks too for the extra goodies you sent for the troops! You rock!

Thank Ewe Lori R. in Springfield, VA for these cards for our military heroes! So many different designs! They're "the perfect blend!"

Thank you Caro H of Mint Hill, NC for these cards!! Thanks for the hero mail too!! Good thing you came to the crop tonight...we'd have had to talk about you if you hadn't!!

Thank you Judy A of Pulaski, TN for hosting an event to make these beautiful cards for our heroes! And thanks for sending a picture of the group!

Many thanks to Linda G of Bradyville, TN!! This box of cards is beautiful! Thank you for your hard work!

Thanks, Carole H of Hohenwald, TN! This box of cards is just wonderful! Your group did a terrific job!!

Thank, Tammie H. of Pilaski, TN!! What a terrific box of cards your group sent for our heroes!!

Thank you Martha H of Pulaski, TN!! What a terrific box of cards you all sent. Many thanks!

Thank you Barbara J of Pulaski, TN! This box of cards will make lots of heroes happy!

Thank you Tiffany L of Pulaski, TN! This terrific box of cards will put lots of smiles on our heroes faces as well as their family and friends!

Thank you Erica S of Murfreesboro, TN for this wonderful box of cards! Your group rocks!

Thank you Christy S of Pulaski, TN! This box is just full of lovely cards for our heroes!

Thank you Kin S of Pulaski, TN! Your group sent a great collection of cards for our heroes!

Thank you Joseph W of Pulaski, TN! This great box of cards will be put to good use - helping our heroes keep in touch with home!

Thank you Shannon W of Lawrenceburg, TN! This box of cards is just what I needed to send to our heroes! Many thanks!

Thank you Zada T of Hohenwald, TN for all these terrific cards! So many designs and sentiments! Wonderful!

Many thanks to Ruby L of Ethridge, TN! Great cards from a great group of people!

Laurie J, Houston TX - thanks so much for the great package of cards!

Laura C, University Place WA - wow, thanks so much for the beautiful cards!

Jack B, Lake Oswego OR - WOW! Not only happy 9th birthday to you, but to our heroes too....thank you for all the great cards for them, and the wonderful donation you collected at your party!

Thank you Carol L. of Gilbertsville, PA!! Surgery did not diminish the quality of your lovely cards! Take care!!

Thanks, Marge M. of Wayne, NJ!! These cards are terrific! I especially love the 4th of July cards! Felt like I needed to salute!

Thank you Kate W. of Midway Park, NC!! You sent such a nice collection of handmade cards for our heroes to send home to loved ones!

Thank you Sandi W of Mayfield Hts., OH for ALL these terrific cards for our heroes! You sent so many beautiful designs! I'm looking forward to getting a closer look at them!

Thank you Celeste L and your children of Panama City Beach, FL for the terrific collection of cards you sent for our heroes! Many thanks too for the letters written to Any Hero! All are most appreciated!!

Many thanks to the ART Haven Yahoo Group of Panama City Beach, FL for the terrific cards you made for our heroes. Your work is much appreciated! Just beautiful!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Monday, May 24, 2010

14,790 cards were shipped out this week! What would 14,790 cards look like? Here's a little experiment you can do at home to find out.

Take your regular folding craft table, 30 inches x 6 feet surface, and invite all your neighbors to bring theirs out to your street too. Put out 174 of those tables. (Now THAT is a cardmaking party!) Then cover each and every one of those tables with a single layer of cards. THAT is 14,790 cards!

Or try this. Go out to your street with your box of cards, and start laying cards in a row. End to end. Keep on going for a mile and a half. THAT is 14,790 cards!

The way OWH counts them, that's 44 boxes, shipped at a cost of $550 this week. In one week alone! Our shippers did an insanely amazing job as always!!

Thank you so much to all of you who donate funds along with your cards - when we combine all our gifts, we have enough to cover our costs!!

To heroes in Afghanistan:
325 cards to an Air Force unit
325 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit

To heroes in Iraq:
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to a USO
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Army unit
350 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a National Guard unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a National Guard unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit

Other fun statistics:Number of boxes sent: 1,517
Number of hero contacts: 787
Total cards sent: 430,967

Deadline reminders:
Graduation: passed
Father's Day: passed
Independence Day: June 1* Note: You can keep making patriotic cards all the time, just don't put "Happy Fourth of July" on them. Take advantage of those great sales on patriotic papers and supplies!

August 2 - Back to School
September 20 - Halloween
October 1 - Thanksgiving
October 30 - Christmas
November 30 - Any Hero Christmas Letters

Sunday, May 23, 2010

News from the homefront—even from strangers—is a treasure to those far from home. "Hero Mail is great," says one Chaplain. "I go out and pray with the soldiers before missions and I hand out Hero Mail." Letters are distributed to those who rarely get mail, or to those most in need of encouragement the day the box arrives. "It helps to know that we are remembered!"

Following are a number of the most often-asked questions about these letters.

"Why are they called AnyHero letters?"
When a letter is addressed to AnyHero, it can be given to someone from any branch of service; a note written to "Dear Soldier" is appropriate for someone serving in the Army, but since many of our contacts are with mixed units, using "Dear hero" as the salutation gives them the freedom to pass it on to whoever needs encouragement the most.

"How often do you send these?"
In every box, if we're able! That means weekly we need more cards and letters.

"How do I even know what to say in a letter?"
If you've got the gift of gab—or if all you know is how to write "thanks" and sign your name!—you can write a letter that will encourage a deployed service member! Letters can be long or short, on a card or a piece of typing paper, chatty about life at home or just a brief message of gratitude. Just keep it upbeat—even a fun weather report, a story about something your chlid said, or a clipping from the funnies brings a little piece of home to a faraway land! Check out this great collection of poems that have been written by our own OWH family by clicking here!

"Do I sign my note with my full name?"
You can do whatever you feel comfortable with; preference is at least first name and hometown/state, but you can put your contact information in a letter as well. Those who receive it may or may not write back, but it's possible you could get a message back.

"Can I write just one?"
You bet! We'd love to receive one AnyHero letter in every box of donated cards if we could! The more love from across America we can share, the better.

"How do the letters get distributed?"
Each of our boxes of blank cards goes out with a package of Hero Mail; the contacts who receive them then share the mail with those who get the least mail from home, or to someone struggling and in need of extra encouragement. Some post all the mail, as seen in the photo above; others tuck a note into their pocket to carry with them on missions.

"Can my kids draw pictures to send?"
Absolutely! We hear from so many heroes who love to hang up kids' art on the walls around them. Please refer to our school and scouts post for guidance for your children, whether your own, your school, or a scout troop.

A number of folks have been asking about the backs of the cards, and since we have so many new folks joining us since the magazine articles, here's the skinny!

The reason for putting "Operation Write Home" on the backs of the cards is to let our heroes and especially their families know where the card came from. We love hearing from them...and we've had a number of new cardmakers join us when they've received happy mail from their heroes!

If cards arrive without Operation Write Home on the back, our shippers do the labor of stamping them—we appreciate when you're able to do that before mailing them in! It saves so much time, keeps our Card Hospital low on patients, and since our shippers are all volunteers, we love to make life easy for them whenever we can! If you're including envelopes and not stamping the backs, please don't tuck the cards into the envelopes; we just have to take them back out anyway.

You may include your name, your address, email, etc on the back if you wish. Please remember, however, the back of the card isn't a billboard; don't fill it with lots of stickers and stamps, some of our heroes want to write a long letter and continue it on the back, so leave them space to do so.

Cards you've received in swaps are acceptable; we leave the stamper's info on the back — aside from card "recipes" - we do remove those. It's way too much "insider" info, causing our heroes or their families to wonder what that giant list of items is! So we cut off the fronts and re-mount them to new cardstock, which also means those cards land in the Card Hospital to await having time to be able to fix them.

The preference is to keep the backs of the cards as simple as possible; stamp low on the back, give our heroes more room to write a long letter if they wish. Please don't cover the back with stickers, stamps, and notes. (A sticky note with an AnyHero message is fine.)

Yes you may use your own stamp with your name or whatever you would like on the backs of your cards. No problem! Some put their address or email on it as well.

Labels are also fine; you can combine the two and create a label with your name *and* Operation Write Home on them.

Saturday we sent a bloghop confirmation email to all known blogger participants - if you did not get one (please check your spam folder!) then send an email to bloghop@operationwritehome.org.... We've missed people in the past, or have fallen into spam folders, so we're trying to have all that happen before the links start going out!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Next time you have grandkids come over - help them express themselves! These are two of 2-year-old Dakota's cards...her Mom and Grandma wrote her notes for her on these beautiful cards. On the back of the card at left:

"Dear hero, I cut this out by myself. I like to go swimming. I like to go to Fred Meyers. I went camping this weekend. I like to ink my stamps and make cards. Dakota, Age 2"

And inside the card at right:

"Dear hero. I like to swim. I like to do stuff all by myself. I like Mac-n-cheese and pears for lunch. I love you, come home soon. Thank you. Dakota, girl, age 2. Spokane WA"

Thank you Mom and Grandma for helping Dakota! She did such a wonderful job—there are going to be some really big smiles when these get to our heroes!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Our cardmakers have been so productive this week! 7,212 cards sent in by 87 people (many representing whole groups)...wow! Our heroes are so blessed to have so many Americans working so hard on their behalf, thank you for your efforts!!

The photo here was sent in a few weeks ago by a cardmaker, Pam...send us a photo of you and/or your cards sometime!

Cheryl B of Havelock, NC, your terrific Fathers' Day cards arrived at the perfect time! They re packed and ready to go! Thank you for those cards and the hero mail too!

Thank you Susan F of Smithsburg, MD for the cards for dads! You and I obviously do our best crafting when the deadline looms! LOL!

Thank you, Rosey for the cards! Great job! Again! I packed the grad cards in boxes to go out tomorrow!

Thank you, Laurie W. in Evans, GA! Your cards are so neat! I'm still laughing over the birthday card with the fire extinguisher! Funny!!

Thank you Mabel Mc. of Madison Heights, MI!! You made such lovely cards for our heroes! Thank you too for the terrific Hero Mail! So glad you found OWH!!

Joy O. of Carmel, IN, thank you for this huge collection of pretty cards! WOW!! So many different sentiments and styles! Thank you!!

Michelle S. of Bucyrus, OH, thank you for the cards! The patriotic ones are my favorites! Thank you too for the letters to heroes!! Really needed those!

Jody V of Chester, VA, thank you for these beautiful cards! You sent such a nice variety! Many thanks for the hero mail from your daughter's 3rd grade class! They rocked it!

Thank you Jennifer m of Coral Springs, FL for your clever cards and generous donation! Our heroes will love sending these to their dads!

Thank you Judy K of Oxfordville, WI for yet another beautiful collection of cards! Love the silver stickers! Thanks too for the generous donation!

Many thanks to Debbie S and Wanda A of Gastonia, NC!! You always send such pretty cards for our heroes! They're so bright and cheerful! Lots of summertime in that box! Thank you too for the generous donation!!

Thanks, Cindy Q of Naples, FL for these awesome cards for our heroes! WOW, so many different designs, and all made with love!

Many thanks, Martha C. of Zepherhills, FL!! You sent terrific cards for our heroes to send home! Thanks to for the Hero Mail! Those will be treasured!

Many thanks Meredith T. of Zephyrhills, FL for this beautiful collection of cards for our heroes. Your Hero Mail is most appreciated! Love the combat boot cards especially!!

Thank you Maeve S of Knoxville, TN for these great cards for or heroes! I love the card with the "postage" stamps and ferns!

Thank you Cheryl B. of Claypool, IN for these lovely cards! I love the lace butterflies! Just beautiful!! Our heroes will love sending these!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

We got the sweetest email from Archway Cookies yesterday....it's so wonderful to see support from all sorts of companies across America! (And just look at these yummy frosted goodies...don't they totally make you think of your childhood?)

We love your company and its idea to send handmade cards to our soldiers. In honor of Armed Forces Day last weekend, Archway Cookies dedicated its status message to all of our heroes and your organization.

Monday, May 17, 2010

3410 cards were shipped out this week! That's 10 boxes, shipped at a cost of $125 this week. Stay tuned next week...we have about 30 boxes awaiting the final Father's Day cards to tuck inside, and they'll be on their way!

To heroes in Afghanistan:
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an National Guard unit
340 cards to an Other unit
340 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Iraq:
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Army unit
340 cards to an Air Force unit
350 cards to an Other unit
340 cards to an Air Force unit
340 cards to an Army unit

Other fun statistics:Number of boxes sent: 1,473
Number of hero contacts: 771
Total cards sent:

Sunday, May 16, 2010

It's less than two weeks away til the bloghop! Soooooo exciting! Some of you might be interested in a little preview of what's coming....you'll want to block out some time to check out the inspiration! The hop opens 10am EST on the 29th, and that's 7am PST.

We've heard rumors of some amazing candy, free digis, and so much more!

Comments left by bloggers signing up:

Can't wait :)

Had so much fun in the spring... gotta do it again!

Thanks for a chance to participate and show my thanks to the men and women who risk their lives for my freedom.

I joined in your last bloghop and had a blast - can't wait to hop with you again.

I will also be offering to make 1 card for each comment left.

I will be offering to make 1 card for each comment left.

How have I overlooked you for so long?! This sounds like a wonderful idea and I am looking forward to participation.

Can't wait!

Thank you!

I'm going to encourage everyone who reads my blog to send an AnyHero card, even if they are not cardmakers. I also am going to be doing AnyHero cards and letters in my classes the week leading up to the Bloghop.

yay!

Thanks for all you do!!! Hugs

Julie and Donna and I may be having a blogathon that day to raise money for OWH. Stay tuned!

Looking forward to it!

Woohoo!! Here we go again!

Not sure yet what I will do but will probably do at least a tutorial and a challenge sounds like a great idea!

Can't wait - the last one was really fun!!

Whoo- hoo!!!!!! Can't wait!!!

WOOHOO!

Looking forward to another hop! We've been able to get others involved with the organization thanks to the hops & lots of blog candy, so can't wait to get our numbers up! Looks like my daughter won't be deployed until Dec. to Afghanistan.

Can't wait for the blog hop, the last one was so much fun!

I am sending off my first box of cards this weekend and I'm excited to participate in the blog hop.

I will offer another tutorial and blog candy.

I can't wait to participate!

Thanks! I like the theme, too!

Not sure what I'll offer yet.....

I will also be offering a free digi image :D

I am having surgery the 28th, but I think my husband can take care of putting the links in for me. If not, do you think I could give you the password for my blog? I trust you implicitly! I just don't want to miss out on anything. I can hop and see when I get home (about the 31st). I have faith that it will all work out! Blessings and love.

My first time Participating as a blog in the hop. I've visited and hopped for the first time on Spring Hop.

I participated in the Memorial Day blog hop last year and thought it was great!

please add my other blog too !

I'm an Army mom with two soldier sons. I just discovered Operation Write Home while on Facebook. Thanks for what you do. This is going to be fun!

I love to participate on Memorial Day weekend. I'm going to spread the word early and often.

Wow.. this is so much fun! Looking forward to this, and hoping to have an event for soldiers soon too! My son is in the USAF serving in Iraq

This sounds like a lot of fun and very beneficial.

I'm collecting my next set of cards for OSW and will be participating regularly. thanks for everything you do

THanks for the opportunity to participate in another OWH hop--I'm looking forward to it!

CAN'T WAIT

I have a digital stamp company and I will be offering a free stamp I made just for this blog hop.

I am excited....

Can't wait!

Oooooo...I can't wait:o)

I have a hero blinkie on my blog...does that count for number 3 - (obviously in addition to a card and a story or poem, quote whatever.

I have never done this before and I'm not sure how it's all done. Will instructions be sent?

I've never participated in a bloghop before except to lurk!! A little nervous but I have to do it sooner or later so here goes nothing.....

Can't wait, sounds fun!!!

Can't wait, sounds fun!!

I just happened to hear about this by chance.. I would love to be added to your email list so I don't miss any upcoming hops. Thanks, Peggy

YOOHOO!! Um but of COURSE I will be doing this with you again!!

I'm excited and nervous!

should be lots of fun!

Looking forward to it!

Karen @ Feline Creative sent me!

OWH has crossed my path several times in the past month and I know it's a sign that my cards that are just sitting in a box are destined to go to a soldier who will enjoy sending them to a loved one. Thank you for putting this together!!! I'm very excited.

We are a military family and know what it is like for the family of the deployed and the soldier serving his/her country. Awesome that you and so many others help out in this way.

looking forward to it....

Ideas:

Some of our new folks have asked about what's been posted before. If you'd like to catch a little of what was done before....check out some posts on our past hops:

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Armed Forces Day was established by President Harry S. Truman, who led the effort to institute a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country. This is aside from Memorial Day, which remembers those who died in service, and Veteran's Day, honoring those who served our nation already. In 1949, Armed Forces Day was established to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.

The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. So happy birthday, DoD!

And thank you to all members of all branches of service, past and present. We honor you all!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

This pile of boxes contains over 1,400 patients discharged from the Card Hospital! Most needed either stamped on the backs, had to be surgically removed from plastic sleeves, or needed light colored liners inside dark cards.

This week we have one of the most amazing number totals: 11,111 cards! I don't think we've ever had all one digit repeated in our totals like this - lol! :) Many many thanks to all of you who sent in cards this past week...

Thank you Lynn P of Charlotte, NC for your huge donation of cards! Thank you for supporting our heroes!

Lori M, Champlin MN......WOW!! What absolutely FABULOUS cards!!!

Lori N and Jean G, Jefferson City MO......thanks ladies for this box of awesome cards!!!

Betty T, Salina KS......thanks so much for these gorgeous cards!!!

Debby M, Las Cruces NM.....thank you for another box of awesome cards!

Judy B, Cleburne TX.....another fabulous box of cards!! THANK YOU!

Linda M and Cindy G, Marietta GA.....thank you ladies for the gorgeous cards and for the neatly organized box.

Thank you to Shannon H in Winterville, ME and all the kids and church members who put together these lovely cards! You sent a lovely collection! Our heroes will love these! Thank you too for the generous donation!!

Thank you Pat Q. in Bethel Park, PA!! Your cards are always beautiful, and the red, white, and blue cards really caught my eye with this shipment! Thank you too for writing letters to our heroes!

Thank you Terri D of Lewiston, ME! So glad your inner child took over! These cards will be treasures for our heroes' children! Thank you too for the generous donation!

Thank you Eileen M and Card Parties for OWH for the cards, the donation and the letters to heroes!

Thank you Eileen M and Card Parties for OWH for the cards, the donation and the letters to heroes!

Thank you Diane Mc. of Harrisburg, PA!! These cards are incredible! Thank you for sending such a nice variety!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

You're tuned in to find out if you won a prize, right? First remember that the real winners of this and every card challenge are our heroes — because of all of our dedicated challenge participants, even more deployed service members have a beautiful card to write home on!

The grand total for this short challenge: 5,206 cards!

We have WINNERS! Random.org picked numbers and our congratulations go out to:

Danyse K, Charlotte NC

Patricia F, Hixson TN

Eileen M, St Mary's PA

Kay C, Minneapolis MN

Lily H, Pittsurgh PA

A huge thank you to Marcie K whose ongoing donations of her extra supply prizes are keeping us all excited!!

Monday, May 10, 2010

3330 cards were shipped out this week! That's 10 boxes, shipped at a cost of $125 this week.

To heroes in Afghanistan:
330 cards to an Army unit
330 cards to an Navy unit
330 cards to an Air Force unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Air Force unit

To heroes in Iraq:
330 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit

To heroes in Kuwait:
335 cards to a Navy unit

Other fun statistics:Number of boxes sent: 1,462
Number of hero contacts: 769
Total cards sent: 413,112

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Thanks to everyone who sent in cards this week! We received 6263 cards....so our shippers have been busy once again! Remember that the 10th is the last day to receive cards to be entered into our Make Someone's Day challenge....and the last Father's Day should be in those boxes or close on their heels, since the deadline is the 15th! Gotta go make those Dads smile now! :)

Without further ado...this week's TT list!

Thank you Linda B. and Fran M. of the Mad Hatters of the Historic Village of Old Bridge and Christine H, all of East Brunswick, NJ! What a beautiful collection of cards you sent for our heroes to send home to family!!

Thank you Bev, Linn, Stacey, Rhonda, and Karen, the Scapbook Concepts Card Makers of Florence, SC!! You all make terrific cards for our heroes! They will love sending these home to family and friends! Thank you too for your generous donation!

Thank you Laurie W in Evans, GA for this terrific collection of cards for our heroes! Thanks for sending such a nice variety of sentiments! Love the birds!

Lee B, Dalton WI - oh my goodness, you have been BUSY! Thank you so so so much!

Donna C. in Leesburg, FL, your cards are lovely! Thank you! The cards with pockets inside for note paper are so clever!!

Pat G. in Upton, NY, your perfectly packaged, lovely cards are just what I needed! Our heroes will love these! Thank you for writing notes to Any Hero!

Denise I. in Williamsville, NY!! Thank you for this super cute collection of cards for the Make Someone's Day Challenge! Thanks too for the shipping donation and the much needed letters to Heroes! You rock!

Julie O and Knapp Haven Nursing Home Residents.....thanks for the great cards!!! These are wonderful!

Thank you Shelley R. in Nutter Fort, WV for such a lovely collection of cards and the mail for Any Hero! So many different sentiments!

Michele S, Lisle IL.....thanks for these cute cards!!

Nancy T, Katy TX.....thanks for these awesome cards and Any Hero notes.

Karen T and everyone at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique - wowowow! You are all so talented...thank you for your huge box of cards, plus all the AnyHero letters!!

Lisa W, McKinney TX......these are such pretty cards!!!

Kyndie W, Downers Grove IL.....thanks for the nice cards, love them.

Many thanks to Mary Ann A. and Daisy Troop 772 of Lawrenceburg, KY for the beautiful cards and the letters to our heroes! I just love it when the little ones write to our troops! Thanks too for the donation for shipping!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

The event was at Treasured Memories, Inc. (TMI), one of our local scrapbook stores, and was attended by 15 people. We worked from 6PM to 1AM, one lady brought lasagna and quiche, I made cookies, and a good time was had by all. I didn't post it on the OWH site or blog beforehand, because we are such newbies at the event we wanted to try one out first to see what worked/didn't work, and it was truly a learning experience!

Before mailing the box, I checked everything for liners and needed repairs. It was amazing to me how many different end results can come out of the same product! What fun! I just stamped and stuffed and lined cards all night long. I really want to get people here in Reno involved in this project, nobody at the crop had ever heard of it before, I guess they don't read Paper Crafts or CK.
Cards made at the event: 151 WOW!
Total Cards: 209

Thank you Victoria and friends! The cards are here and are beauuuuutiful!

Monday, May 3, 2010

8,220 cards were shipped out this week! That's 25 boxes, shipped at a cost of $312.50 this week.

A quick note...we can still use more Father's Day cards! And LOTS more AnyHero cards. The boxes pictured in the photo above used up almost every AnyHero card in Washington...think about it, 20 letters in each of 10 boxes = 200 letters a week! Our NC and KS shippers are in the same boat!Remember that the end of the school year is a great time for your kids' teachers to have a fill-in activity writing letters to our heroes!

To heroes in Afghanistan:
335 cards to a Marines unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Marine unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Marine unit
354 cards to an Army unit
354 cards to an Air Force unit
354 cards to an Army unit
354 cards to an Air Force unit
325 cards to an Air Force unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Contractor team to share with Soldiers

To heroes in Iraq:
335 cards to a Marine unit
335 cards to an Army unit
335 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Marine unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Marine unit
354 cards to an Army unit
354 cards to an Air Force unit
354 cards to an Army unit
354 cards to an Air Force unit
325 cards to an Air Force unit
325 cards to an Army unit
325 cards to a Contractor team to share with Soldiers

To heroes in Kuwait:354 cards to an Army unit

Other fun statistics:Number of boxes sent: 1,452
Number of hero contacts: 762
Total cards sent: 409,762